5 Ways to Stay Cool on the Worksite
The sun is shining and the site is scorching. Unfortunately, it hasn’t hit that elusive 35 degrees, despite it feeling like 40, so it looks like you’re in for the long haul.
There’s no doubting it, nothing’s better than working in building and construction. Spending your days outside, working with your hands and seeing a project through to that final stage. It’s hard to beat.
However, when she turns up the heat and the site manager gives the nod of continue, you might get that sinking feeling.
Maybe you only brought one shirt to the site. Perhaps the closest 7/11 is over 5 km’s away. Maybe you even volunteered to do the outside job because you thought it was going to tip the scales.
Stress less, friends. We’ve got 5 ways for you to stay cool on the site.
1. Being SunSmart
We all have one friend that hasn’t quite come to terms what with the sun does to their skin. Think your Warwick Cappers and your Arnold Schwarzeneggers. The ones who start to look less like a human and a little bit more like a leather bag.
Well, that’s because they haven’t followed probably the most simple rule of how to stay cool working construction.
Slip, Slop, Slap.
Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.
Three simple things that’ll lower your body temperature and go a long way to ensuring you don’t get any of those heat-related illnesses.
Also a warning to those who’ve got some artwork on the skin the sun is the main cause of faded ink. Keep that in mind if you’re weighing up applying that second round of sunscreen.
Although on a site sunscreen can hold the same weight as liquid gold, why not be a legend and buy in bulk to help out your mates.
This type of legendary behaviour could even land you a prize worth $1600 if you were to film it and send it into BAA’s Instagram or Snapchat.
2. Hydration
We all know that working in building and construction means EARLY mornings. Early mornings mean coffee. By the time it’s 8:30 it’s time for another coffee. Still tired at 10, it’s time for just one more right?
Now, this might not win many fans over, but make sure you read it all the way through. What if we were to tell you that all that coffee was only making things a little bit hotter for you throughout your day?
Sugary drinks and caffeine can dehydrate you, and when the sun’s pelting down on you like an ant under a magnifying glass, dehydration is your enemy.
That’s not to say you can’t have any caffeine or sugary drinks. Two cups of coffee will have little to no effect on you. So next time maybe just avoid that triple shot of dare iced-coffee as your third for the day.
Like sunscreen, water on a hot day is liquid gold. Make sure you’re guzzling as much as possible, as often as possible, replacing the fluids that you’re losing through all the hard work you’re doing.
Hydrolytes, Gatorade, and Powerade are other great options if you’d prefer to treat yourself a little.
Why don’t you be a legend and next time you head to the servo or the supermarket pick up a three pack and make sure you have the team covered. It might even earn you an extra five at lunch.
You could film it and send it into the team at BAA and potentially win big with prizes being given out every week for this legendary behaviour.
3. Get Off the Tools by Getting Your Building and Construction Certificate
It’s a stinker. You’re hot, you’re bothered and you’re not too comfortable with the sweat falls that starts at your neck and ends, well, you know.
You’re a little ticked off because you could’ve sworn it’s over 35 degrees and if you were the site manager, everyone would be at yours for a swim and a BBQ.
Somedays, the heat is just too much.
Maybe it’s time to take that next step in your career to get you off the tools and into more of a managerial role?
We want to help you take that step. With numerous ways of studying with us, now is the perfect time to get your building and construction certificates.
Choose from building and construction courses online that you can complete from the comfort of your own home after a long day on site.
Or if you’d prefer to learn with mates, come into one of our classrooms and take that next step in your career by completing a building and construction certificate.
Our Virtual Classroom offers you the perfect way to study building and construction courses online whilst ensuring you get that cool shower at home after the long day.
Then next time it hits 36 degrees you’ll be the legend by sending the team home.
4. Treat Yourself
If you’re still wondering how to keep cool at work in hot weather, there’s nothing more important than this tip.
TREAT YOURSELF.
That’s right. Put down the tools and find a shaded spot for when you really need it – your nearest air-conditioned cafe is usually a winner. Then just sit for a few minutes.
Building and construction is tough work, especially when someone’s turned the sky thermostat to torch! You deserve that extra bit of TLC.
If you can’t leave the site, get creative.
Can that truck tray be filled with ice? Do you have a hose that could give a quick spray down?
Whatever you can do to cool yourself down, do it. You deserve it.
But don’t forget to film these creative ways and send it into our Instagram or Snapchat for a chance to win weekly prizes and your chance at the big one.
5. Smart Scheduling
This may not fall on you, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be the legend with a bit of foresight and suggest to get the heavy jobs done in the cooler parts of the day.
Pretty self-explanatory, but we know that sometimes these things aren’t always thought of.
No one wants to be lugging around the heavy stuff in the middle of the day.
Take initiative and be a legend.
Stay cool!
Only one more month until Autumn. The cool change is coming. So stay sun smart and keep as cool as you can.
If you don’t think you’ll get through next summer why not apply for our building and construction courses online and start upskilling now.
But for this Summer remember to send in your videos of you being a legend on site and helping the team out when she’s sizzling for your chance at winning an array of prizes.